What is the best way to defeat the Guardians during the Divine Beast quests in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild?

Defeating Guardians during the Divine Beast quests in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild requires a combination of preparation, strategy, and understanding of their mechanics. Guardians are formidable enemies, but with the right approach, you can overcome them efficiently. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you succeed.

First, itÔÇÖs important to understand the mechanics of Guardians. Guardians are ancient machines corrupted by Ganon, and they come in different forms, such as stationary, walking, and flying. During the Divine Beast quests, youÔÇÖll encounter stationary Guardians that are often part of the puzzles or obstacles you need to overcome. These Guardians have a laser attack that can deal massive damage if not avoided or countered. They also have a weak point, their eye, which is vulnerable to attacks.

Preparation is key. Before engaging a Guardian, ensure you have the right equipment. A strong shield is essential, as it can deflect the GuardianÔÇÖs laser attack back at it, dealing significant damage. The Ancient Shield, obtained from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, is particularly effective as it can automatically deflect lasers without requiring perfect timing. If you donÔÇÖt have the Ancient Shield, any shield will work, but youÔÇÖll need to perform a perfect parry. To do this, press the A button just as the GuardianÔÇÖs eye flashes blue and it fires its laser. This timing can be tricky, so practice is recommended.

Weapons are also important. Ancient weapons, such as the Ancient Short Sword or Ancient Bladesaw, are highly effective against Guardians due to their bonus damage against ancient enemies. These can be purchased from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. If you donÔÇÖt have ancient weapons, high-damage weapons like the Master Sword or strong bows with bomb arrows can also be effective. The Master Sword, in particular, is a great choice as it deals extra damage to Guardians when itÔÇÖs glowing, which happens when youÔÇÖre near a Divine Beast or in Hyrule Castle.

When engaging a Guardian, start by targeting its eye. This is its weak point and will stagger the Guardian, interrupting its laser attack. Use a bow to shoot the eye from a distance. If youÔÇÖre close, you can also use melee attacks, but be cautious of its counterattacks. After staggering the Guardian, quickly close the distance and attack its legs if itÔÇÖs a walking Guardian. Destroying its legs will immobilize it, making it easier to focus on its eye.

Resource management is crucial. Guardians can be tough, so make sure you have plenty of healing items. Cooked meals that restore a lot of health, such as those made with Hearty ingredients, are highly recommended. Additionally, elixirs that boost your defense or attack can give you an edge in battle. Always have a few fairies in your inventory as a safety net, as they can revive you if you fall in battle.

Common mistakes to avoid include rushing into battle without proper preparation. Guardians can quickly overwhelm you if youÔÇÖre not ready. Another mistake is not using the environment to your advantage. Use cover to avoid laser attacks and plan your approach carefully. Also, donÔÇÖt forget to save your game before engaging a Guardian, so you can retry if things go wrong.

Advanced techniques include using the Stasis+ rune to freeze the Guardian temporarily. This gives you a window to attack its weak points without worrying about its laser. Additionally, using the environment to your advantage, such as hiding behind pillars or using elevation to gain a better vantage point, can make the fight easier.

Alternative approaches include using stealth to avoid Guardians altogether. If youÔÇÖre not confident in your combat skills, you can sneak past them using stealth-enhancing armor like the Sheikah Set or stealth elixirs. This is particularly useful in areas where multiple Guardians are present.

In specific scenarios, such as the Divine Beast Vah Rudania quest, youÔÇÖll encounter Guardians that are part of the puzzle. Here, youÔÇÖll need to use the environment to your advantage, such as using metal crates to block their line of sight or using the Divine BeastÔÇÖs mechanics to disable them.

In conclusion, defeating Guardians during the Divine Beast quests requires preparation, strategy, and understanding of their mechanics. By using the right equipment, managing your resources, and employing effective combat techniques, you can overcome these formidable enemies and progress through the gameÔÇÖs main story. Practice your timing for perfect parries, use the environment to your advantage, and donÔÇÖt hesitate to use stealth if needed. With these tips, youÔÇÖll be well-equipped to handle the challenges posed by Guardians in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.